Isaac Suttles
Jar

MakerAmerican, c. 1840–1884, active 1873–1882
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Jar
Datec. 1873–1882
Made inLa Vernia (now LaVernia), Texas, United States
MediumSalt-glazed stoneware with cobalt
Dimensions9 3/8 × 6 7/8 in. diameter (23.8 × 17.5cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Mr. and Mrs. W. Tucker Blaine, Jr.
Object numberB.2001.20
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Alcove And Hall
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Isaac Suttles was born in Ohio and probably was employed by John M. Wilson at the Guadalupe Pottery sometime after the Civil War. Census records from 1870 suggest that Suttles worked with and resided with the family of Marion J. Durham. Durham had joined Wilson as a partner in the Guadalupe Pottery after the war and purchased Wilson’s remaining interest in 1869, establishing what became known as the Durham-Chandler-Wilson pottery. By 1873, Suttles had established his own pottery in La Vernia, Texas. Suttles is thought to have introduced the technique of salt glazing to the Guadalupe Pottery, to the Durham-Chandler-Wilson pottery, and in turn to H. Wilson and Company.

With a salt-glazed surface and cobalt slip decoration, this jar reflects Suttles’ Ohio heritage. Cobalt decoration and salt glazing were typical of wares made in the Northeast and Midwest, but are rarer in Texas, where the southern alkaline or ash glazing technique was well established.


Provenance[Russell Barnes, Austin]; purchased by MFAH, 2001.
Exhibition History"Made in Texas: Art, Life and Culture: 1845–1900," Beeville Art Museum, Texas, September 20, 2014–January 10, 2015.

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Impressed on the lower edge; "I. SUTTLES/LAVERNIA."

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Three-Gallon Jar
Isaac Suttles
c. 1869–1973
Salt-glazed stoneware
B.2012.161
Two-Gallon Jug
Isaac Suttles
c. 1869–1873
Salt-glazed stoneware with cork
B.2012.158
Jug
Isaac Suttles
c. 1869–1873
Salt-glazed stoneware
B.2012.160
Five-Gallon Jug
Isaac Suttles
c. 1869–1873
Salt-glazed stoneware
B.2012.162
Jug
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Salt-glazed stoneware
B.2012.80
Jug
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Salt-glazed stoneware
B.2012.81
Two-Gallon Jar
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.78
Jar
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.77
Jar with Lid
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.76.A,.B
Jar with Lid
Isaac Suttles Pottery
c. 1873–1882
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.79.A,.B
Jar with Lid
George Suttles Pottery
c. 1882–1912
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.195.A,.B
Jar
George Suttles Pottery
c.1882–1912
Slip-glazed stoneware
B.2012.196